AMMAN, Jordan � Worried relatives of a Jordanian fighter pilot asked their government Sunday to be more open about negotiations for his release, after a video emerged purportedly showing the beheading of a second ISIS hostage. The fates of the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, and Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, previously had been linked. The video made no mention of the pilot, raising fears for his life.
"We want the government to tell us the truth," said Yassin Rawashda, an uncle of the pilot. He said the family is not demanding a full briefing, but wants to hear if release efforts are headed "in a positive direction or not." The pilot's father, Safi al-Kaseasbeh, said he is worried, but still is putting his faith in the government. "Of course, I'm concerned," he said by telephone. "This is my son. I'm always concerned about him and any development makes me more concerned."


Jordan is reportedly conducting indirect, behind-the-scenes negotiations through tribal leaders in neighboring Iraq. Last week, Jordan offered to release an al-Qaeda prisoner from death row in exchange for the pilot, but the militants didn't say at the time if they were considering such a deal. An audio message last week, purportedly from ISIS, only said the pilot would be killed if the prisoner, Sajida al-Rishawi, was not delivered to the Turkish border by Thursday. The deadline passed after Jordan said it cannot release al-Rishawi without proof the pilot is alive.


By NBC News

 
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